Spokane residents smuggle suds over green brands

Spokane residents smuggle detergent because eco-friendly brands do not work as well

http://www.Newsweek.com/id/191296

Here is another example of prohibition that was not very well thought out. The intentions are good: reduce algae blooms, help the fish, and other aquatic beings, but it seems many of the residents of Spokane, where the prohibition exists, just buy their dishwashing detergent outside the county.

Basically the problem is their water is “hard.” It’s not really pure, it has lots of suspended minerals in it. That means their dishes aren’t being washed very well, in fact, some are washing their dishes more than once, thus creating another problem, too much water use.

Unfortunately some have just tried to push the best solution on every single person, buy a water softener, which removes much of the impurities from the water. Frankly, I’m of the opinion that it’s much more efficient for the town to do this rather than each individual homeowner. And not for just one reason.

I am sure it’s more economical, dollar for dollar, for the town to to remove the impurities at the source, before it puts the water in the town’s system, rather than have every single homeowner/building owner, install and maintain a water softener. One big cost savings will be replacing the towns’ own water infrastructure. I’ve seen the inside of water pipes clogged with mineral deposits, and while many people enjoy seeing, and drinking the clear water that comes from the tap, they would probably be disgusted if they saw the inside of the pipes that bring that water to them. The pipes look like they have arterial disease, serious plaque build-up.

Doing that first, then encouraging a switch to more environmentally friendly detergents is probably what they should have done, and should do now.